Outboard engine analyzer



April 22, 1958 N. A. WOLF ET AL 2,831,345

OUTBOARD 31mm: ANALYZER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 51, 1956 INVENTORSMoe/m1 A. WaLF By JUH/V E. M ZAEA EY mm. A A 77'0ZA EKS' April 22, 1958N. A. WOLF ET AL OUTBOARD ENGINE ANALYZER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORSFiled Aug. 51, 1956 United States Patent OUTBOARD ENGINE ANALYZER NormanA. Wolf, Justice, and John E. McLarney, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 31, 1956, Serial No. 607,304

4 Claims. (Cl. 73-116) The present invention relates to a device forbench testing an outboard engine.

Heretofore, the testing and analysis of the operational characteristicsof an outboard engine has been achieved in'a comparatively haphazard,inefficient manner, and

proper information as to the characteristics of the engine under actualoperating conditions has not been readily obtainable within themanufacturing plant, repair shop, or similar establishment.

It has been proposed to provide test tanks for outboard engines, capableof being set upwithin a manufacturing plant or shop, but so far as isknown, said tanks have merely been adapted for supporting an outboardengine in position extending into the tank, to visually observe theoperation of the engine. It has not been proposed to associate, with atank of this nature, instrurnentalities that will record, on gauges andequivalent devices disposed exteriorly of the tank, the exactoperational characteristics of the engine.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an outboardengine testing and analysis apparatus that will be particularly designedto achieve the above stated desirable results, and to this end, we havedesigned apparatus of the character stated which may be summarizedbriefly as follows:

A tank is provided, having a novel shape designed, when an outboardengine is mounted upon support means provided within the tank, to permitoperation of the engine under conditions that will duplicate actualoperating conditions such as are encountered when the engine is in useupon a boat. The tank is designed with an ovally shaped lower portion,causing continuous cycling of the water in an oval path responsive tooperation of the engine, with the water traveling during one portion ofthe cycle above the water traveling through the other, return portion ofthe cycle.

Above the oval portion of the tank there is provided a tank extension,in which the support means for the motor is provided, said support meansbeing in the form of an adjustable transom, which when verticallyadjusted permits selective disposition of the propeller of the motorwithin the part of the tank in which the water is cycled. Suitableventing means is associated with the tank, and an important component ofthe invention resides in the provision, in the path of the cyclingwater, of an adjustable propeller-orifice-providing means in the form ofpivoted batlles conjointly adjustable toward and away from one another,responsive to rotation of a threaded rod from a location exteriorly ofthe tank.

Means is provided in association with the adjustable orifice-definingmeans for detecting the water speed immediately in front of thepropeller, and gauge means is associated with the speed-detecting meansfor taking a reading of the water speed. In combination with the waterspeed pick-up and gauge means, there is provided a load-detectingassembly with which is associated a second gauge means from which areading can be taken.

Patented Apr. 22, 1958 Among important objects of the invention are thefollowing:

First, to permit bench testing and setting of an outboard engine foroperation thereof at peak efliciency, it being important to note in thisregard that the output of an engine is measured by its R. P. M. andthrust;

Second, to perform trouble-shooting operations on engines that aremalfunctioning, the device being adapted to show up any malfunctioningof the engine upon one or more of the test stand instruments;

Third, to determine the propeller efliciency which would be, as isalready known, a product of the R. P. M., thrust, and water flow;

Fourth, to conduct experimental operations on new or Figure 2 is atransverse section on line 2-4. of Figure 1,

through the rear portion of the test stand;

Figure 3' is a transverse sectiontsubstantially on line 3--3 of Figure 1through the intermediate portion of the test stand, showing thepropeller orifice-forming assembly;

Figure 4 is a front end elevational view of the apparatus as seen fromthe line 44 of Figure 1; 4

Figure 5 is a horizontal section through .the on line 55 of Figure 1;and.

Figure 6 is a transverse section on line 66 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the apparatus constituu'ng thepresent invention includes a tank generally designated by the referencenumeral 10. The tank can be suitably braced and reinforced in anydesired manner. It is mainlyimportant to note, for the purposes of thepresent application, that the tank is of a horizontally elongatedformation, having a generally oval lower or main portion merging at itstop into an upwardly projecting, motor-receiving extension.

The tank, as shown in Figure 1, includes a fiat bottom wall 12 inclinedslightly from the horizontal, and supported at its rear end upon atransversely extending support or base bar 14. The front end of thebottom wall is supported directly upon a supporting surface S, so as tolocate the bottom wall at the desired angle of inclination.

At its front end, bottom wall 12 merges into a front end wall 16, and iscurved about a horizontal, transversely extending axis throughsubstantially 180 degrees. A rear wall 18 has a lower portion 19 intowhich the rear extremity of bottom wall 12 merges. Lower portion 19 iscurved through substantially degrees and merges into a flat, verticallyelongated upper portion of the rear end wall, inclined forwardly in thedirection of its upper end, and rising to a height substantially abovethe upper end of the front end wall 16.

The tank is further formed with vertically disposed side walls 20Fwhichcompletely close the tank at its sides, said side walls projecting abovethe oval lower portion of the tank to also close the upper extension ofthe tank at the sides thereof. 4

A vertical front end plate 21 is fixedly secured at its lower end to thefront end wall 16, and may be integral apparatus 3 with the front endwall. Spaced rearwardly from plate 21 1s a transversely disposed,vertically positioned intermediate plate 22, cooperating with the endplate 21 in defining an upwardly opening well 24 in which the motor M tobe tested is disposed.

Integral with the upper end of the rear end wall 18 is a forwardlyprojecting top wall 26 in a horizontal plane, terminating a substantialdistance rearwardly from plate a 22. An access door 28 is hinged at itsrear end as at 30' to the forward end of the top wall 26, and isprovided with handle .3

Projecting upwardly from top wall 26 and communieating with the tankextension 27 through said top wall is a conduit 34 opening laterally atits upper end into a blower or fan housing 36 in which is jonrnalled asuction fan 38 driven by a motor 40 mounted on the side of the housing,The bloweroutlet 42 of the housing 36 is connectable to a suitableexhaust conduit, not how v whe eb exh us tumor co ect Within the aextension responsive to operation of the motor may be xha st d to a loction outside he bu d ng structure in which the test stand is installed.In this connection, the tank is filled with water to a level L shown inFigure 1, so that the oval lower portion of the tank is completelyfilled, with the water rising within the tank extension to a locationwell below the top wall 26, said water also rising to a correspondingextent, of course, within the well 24, in view of the iact tha the wellis in full communication at its lower end with the interior of the tank.

Water cycles within the oval lower portion of the tank in the directionof the arrowsip Figure 1, the curvature of the front and rear end wallsbeing adapted to cooperate with elongated partition, disposed within thetank for the purpose of causing the water to flow through a closed cyclein a generally motor M is operated.

To reduce turbulence in the water, there'is provided adjacent the rearend of the tank a bafie assembly comprising vertically disposed sidemembers 46 fixedly secured to the inner surfaces of the side walls 20 ofthe tank.

Connected between the members 46 are vertically spaced, transverselyextending baflle plates 48.- These are straight from end to end, and aredisposed in parallel relation, the baflle plates being pitched slightlyout of a horizontal plane as shown in Figure 1, so as to be disposed inplanes parallel to that'of bottom wall 12.

The baflle assembly is disposed below and at the rear end of a partition44. Partition 44 is of planiform construction, and is fixedly connectedbetween side walls 20 (see Figure 3), with the partition being flangedat it opposite sides to facilitate its connection to the side walls. Thepartition 44 is inclined into parallelism with bottom wall 12, has adependnig transversely extending end lip 45 at its rear end, and has arolled, flange 47 at its front end.

Due to this arrangement, it will be seen that when the propeller P- ofmotor M rotates during testing of the motor, it will force water abovethe partition 44 in a direction toward the right in Figure, 1. As thewater reaches the rear end of the tank, it will be deflected downwardlyin a curving path by wall portion 19, through the baflle assemblypreviously described. It will then flow forwardly as shown by the arrowsin Figure 1, below partition 44 and at the front end of the tank will bedeflected upwardly in a curving path back into the suction side of thepropeller 1?.

' The provision of the depending lip 45 and rolled flange 47 defines atrap below the partition 44 for air that may be forced into the waterduring testing of the motor M. It is of course desirable that the flowof the water be smooth as. possible, with turbulence, sloshing, watersurge, and aeration held to a So far as the water surge is concerned, itis desirable to mount upon the respective side walls 20 relativelylarge, flat rubber pads 50. These are disposed immediately foroval path,when the 4. wardly of the baflie assembly 46, 48 and serve to minimizesurge, with the baflle assembly of course acting to reduce turbulencewithin the water.

' De-aeration of the Water, meanwhile, is effected through an airremoval conduit 52. This, as shown to best advantage in Figures 1, 2,and 5, is in communication at its lower end with the area below thepartition 44, so that air trapped under the partition between thedepending lips 45, 47 is released and flows upwardly through the conduit52, to be exhausted through conduit 34. Conduit 52 is elongated in afore-and-aft direction, tapering toward its forward end as shown inFigure 5 with a view to streamlining the same so that water may flowthereby smoothly.

It is also desirable to reduce to a minimum sloshing of the water withinthe tank extension. To this end, we provide a plurality of transverselyextending splash guards 54 (Figures 1 and 2), fixedly connected betweenside walls 26 within the tank extension and uniformly spaced apa t lngit inal y of he. in vertical plane Th splash guards are disposed ator; just above the water level L, and water tending; to slosh upwardlywithin the tank extension is immediately thrown against one or more ofthe splash guards, to reduce the water splash within the tank extensionto. a minimum.

Adjacent the front end of conduit 52 (see Figure 5) is one of aplurality of bafile assemblies provided at spaced locations in theclosed path or cycle of the water. This includes horizontally disposedsupport bars 56 connected between the side walls; o conduit 52 and therespective side walls, 20. Connected, between the, vertically spaced,horizontal bars 56 are vertically extending, uniformly spaced bafliles58, said; baflles 58 being spaced apart the full distance between therespective sides of the conduit 52 and the adjacent side walls 20.

Forwardly of the propeller P of: the motor, that is, at what mightappropriately be termed the intake side of the propeller, guide 'bafflesare also provided. Vertical support bars 60 are secured to therespective side walls 20, and fixedly connected therebetween arehorizontally extending, uniformly spaced bafiles 62. These serve tostraighten the flow of water immediately prior to passage of the waterinto the propeller area.

Referring to Figure 5, as soon as the water passes through the baflileassembly 60, 62, it is guided through the propeller due to the provisionof guide walls 64 converging in a direction rearwardly from the baflles62. Guide walls 64 are fixedly secured at their divergent ends to thevertical support bars 60, and terminate at their convergent endssubstantially in the plane in which the propeller P rotates.

Above guide walls 64 there are mounted, in the lower open end of themotor well 24, parallel, straight angle iron support members 66. Theseextend in a fore-andaft direction, and are formed with longitudinallyextending slots 68.

Mounted for sliding adjustment along the lengths of the members 66 aresupport brackets 70, through which extend bolts passing through theslots and equipped with wing nuts. The brackets 70 can thus be adjustedina fore-and-aft direction by loosening of the wing nuts.

The brackets support an adjustable 'baflie assembly which includes upperand lower support bars 72 lying in horizontal planes. Bars 72 as shownin Figure 5 are curved longitudinally, being bowed rearwardly and beingcurved about a center lying in the area in which the propeller P isrotated.

Fixedly connected. between. the. bars 72 are vertically disposed balfies74, lying inplanesextending radially from thecenter about which. thebars '72 arev curved. The baflles 74, thus, cause water leaving the,propeller to be smoothed out and dispersed in a rearwardly flaring orfan-shaped wake.

Fixedly connected to the bars 72, at the ends. of, said bars, arerearwardly flaring guide walls 76, limiting the in horizontal planes.

fanning out of the water after it leaves the propeller. The plates orwalls 76 are rigid with the bars 72, and fixedly connected between thedivergent portions of the walls 76 are horizontally extending bames. Tomount the baflies, there are provided vertical bars 78 secured to theinner surfaces of the plates 76 (see Figure 1) and fixedly connectedbetween the bars 78 are baflles 80 disposed The lowermost balfle 80 hashingedly connected thereto a flap 81, for the purpose of preventingreverse fiow of water from reaching the propeller when an engine with asmall diameter propeller is being tested.

conjointly, by adjusting the brackets 70 in the mannerpreviouslydescribed herein.

Immediately aft of the adjustable bathe and guide unit, means isprovided for adjusting the sides of the orifice through which waterleaving the propeller must pass. The purpose of an adjustable orificethrough which the water must pass after leaving the propeller is topermit adjustment of the size of said orifice until the engine R. P. M.can be brought to the manufacturers specifications, R. P. M. being readupon a tachometer or'other conventional device, not shown, during thisstage of the operation.

In any event, the adjustment of the size of the orifice is effectedthrough the medium of identically but oppositely arranged plates, and topermit adjustment of saidplates, there is provided a horizontallydisposed screw 82 (Figures 1 and 3) with which is threadedly engaged afollower 84 to the underside of which are pivotally connected rearwardlydivergent arms 86 having at their divergent ends downwardly openingsockets within which are fixedly engaged the upper ends of shafts 90 thelower ends of which are journalled in the partition 44. Fixedly securedto the shafts are vertically elongated plates 92.

The arms 86 are slotted to receive the pivotal conneclions whereby thesame are attached to the follower 84 (see Figure 5).

A universal connection 94 at the front end of the screw 82 connects saidscrew to a shaft 96 which projects through and is journalled in abearing mounted in the wall 21. Forwardly of the wall 21 the shaft has ahand wheel 98.

It will be seen that by rotating the hand wheel in one direction, thefollower 84 is shifted rearwardly along the length of screw 82, whichscrew is journalled in the rear wall 22 of the motor well 24. As aresult, the arms 86 are swung conjointly, to rotate the shafts 90 inopposite directions, thus correspondingly turning the plates 92 inopposite directions, whereby to increase or reduce the space between theplates and hence adjust the size of the orifice, which orifice isdefined by said space between the plates.

To minimize splashing of the water upwardly withm the motor well, thereis provided a hinged bafiie 100. This keeps down spray that mightotherwise tend to be thrown upwardly out of the well, and is projectedforwardly within the well to a substantial degree, with the battle beingrecessed at its forward end to receive the adjacent portion of the motorM, thus to serve not only in holding down the spray, but also to holdthe motor to prevent side movement thereof.

Immediately forwardly of the baflle assembly 60, 62 there is provided awater pick-up tube 102, perforated throughout its length. Tube 102 isfixedly secured at its upper end to the upper extremity of the front endwall 16 of the tank, and is a device conventional per se, being designedto provide a reading at a remote location of the speed of water passingby the same.

Connected with the upper end of the tube 102 is a length of tubing 104,extending to the water speed gauge 106 (see Figure 4). The gauge is alsoa device converttional per se and hence need not be described in detailherein.

Fixedly secured to the front end wall 16, and projecting upwardlytherefi'om, is a gauge support plate 108, on which the gauge 106 will bemounted.

The means for supporting the motor M within the well will now bedescribed. Referring to Figure 4, at opposite sides of the well thereare provided sleeves 110, and rotatably mounted within said sleeves arevertically disposed screws 112. A transom 114 has vertical openings atits opposite ends receiving the screws and threaded complementarily tothe threads of the screws. By rotation of .hand cranks 116 secured tothe upper ends of the screws, the transom is raised or lowered, thus tocorrespondingly raise or lower a conventional outboard motor M havingclamps C secured to the transom. The motor may thus be positioned in aselected position of vertical adjustment within the well '24.

Fixedly secured to and projecting rearwardly from the respective sleeves110 are support plates 118 '(see Figure the respective side walls. Thepurpose of thisarrangement is to provide a balanced support for themotor, due to the fact that the .ball bearings are disposed at thecenter of gravity thereof. Said support will maintain the motor inastate of proper balance while still not holding the same with'suchrigidity-as would transmit an excessive vibratory motion to theapparatus.

i The apparatus also" includes means for providing an indicatiomreadableupon a gauge, of the load under which the motor isoperating. Tothis end, a foot 122, which may be arcuately shaped to engage the frontedge of the motor, is secured to the rear end of a horizontally disposedpiston rod 124 slidable in the end wall 21. At its front end, rod 124 isprovided with a piston 126 working in a hydraulic cylinder 128, from thefront end of which extends a tube 131 leading to a load gauge v130.Suitable means is provided within the gauge 130,

and is known in the gauge art, whereby the index arm of the gauge isrotated to traverse a calibrated scale (Figure 4) responsive to and indirect proportion to the pressure of hydraulic fluid within tubing 131.i

In other words, the load under which the motor is operating causesmovement of the lower portion of the motor to the left in Figure 1,exerting pressure against foot 122 which pressure in turn causesmovement of the piston 126 forwardly within cylinder 128. This forcesfluid through tubing 131 to gauge 130, and the index arm is turnedproportionally to the load, to provide a reading of the load under whichthe motor is operating.

The cylinder 128 is supported upon a suitable bracket 129 fixedlysecured to and projecting upwardly from end wall 16.

For the purpose of emptying the tank of water, there is provided a drain132 projecting forwardly from thelower portion of the tank as shown inFigure l, and equipped with a drain cock 134.

Further, to fill the tank, or to permit water to be directed thereintofor the purpose of maintaining a fresh supply during testing of a motorM, there is provided an inlet valve 138 which would be connected with asuitable source of water under pressure.

It is also desirable, in connection with the replenishment of water orthe changing of water during operation of the apparatus, to provide anoverflow pipe 136. This, as shown in Figure 1, is connected to the backwall 18, and prevents the water from rising above a predetermined levelL. One may, if desired, change the water during operation of the motorby opening the valve 138, with the water that is being changed flowingout of the tank through pipe 136.

Inuse. of the apparatus; the bafil'e 100' would beswung upwardly about ahinge 138 on which iris mounted. A motor would be inserted in the well,and clamped to the transom. The bafile and guide unit comprising baffies74, bafi'les 80, and plates '76, is adjusted forwardly or rearwardly asdesired relative to the propeller, in

the manner previ'ousl'ydescribed. This is desirable in view of the factthat some motors have longer cavitation plates than others,requiring'that the bafileunit be adjusted" rearwardly to. make room forthe longer cavitation plates.

The motor isthen started, and the orifice defined between' plates 92 isadjusted as necessary, that is,. the R. Pi M. of the motoriscontrolledby'the engine throttle, read on a tachometer, and the.restricted"orifice or passage, defined between plates 92 adjusted "as tosize by the rotation of the handwheel 98jun'tiltheengine R. P. M. isbrought to the manufacturers specifications.

Operation. of the propeller will of"co u rse begin the cycling. of waterwithin the oval lower'portionfof the tank, and the turbulence, surging,and aeration of the water is, continuously kept under controlby" thebathe means, surge pads 50, and conduit; 52 the. mannerpreviouslydescribed. j j, I p

The actual engine thrust may now be readup'on' the load scale '130',tofd'eterhiine if engine is' iperforming according'to themanufacturerfsjspecifibati' "In this connection, propeller 'fiicien the.following factors: R; M.' (rea thrust (read'on al'oadscale); and w p thewater speed indicator gaugej l 6; It seen thata proper reading readily getficientftesting and analysis .of' the bath ard'motorefiectedinthismanner.

a'chometer);

It should'be noted; In

a hydraulic cylinder means 126, 128'has"been"illustrated as a loadpick-up. or detectidn assembly there could; be

employed, instead, a mechanical linkage. such as a lever fulcrumed"intermediate its endsand adapted to berocked about its' fulcrum by" alink extending from one'end' V of the lever to the motor in the samemanner as the piston rod 124' extends in the illustrated'example'. Thelever at its other end could be connected to a. cable, in turn connectedto an arm at the gauge 130.

It will also be noted that although the apparatus has been illustratedin association with a conventional outboard motor of present design, theinvention is intended to and is adapted to operate efiiciently in theanalysis of outboard motors of the jet action, rather than thereciprocating engine type, this being a type of outboard motor which iscurrently being developed.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not neces sarily confinedto the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may beutilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the inventionto be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated anddescribed, since such construction is only intended to be illustrativeof the principles, it being considered that the invention comprehendsany minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An outboard motor test apparatus comprising-: a tank proportioned forcycling of water therein respon-- sive to operation of an outboardmotorextending into the tank, said tank including a lower, main portion ofgenerally oval formation, said main portion including ahorizontalpartition terminating short of opposite ends ofthe main portion aboutwhich. the path ofi cycled water extends, the tank further including an:upper portion projecting upwardly from and communimting: with the mainportion for receiving an outboard. motorrzmeans within the tank fordetecting the speed of water cycled said. path; means cooperatingwithsaid motor for detecting the load under: which: the motorist operated;

i. me 35' gauge means. mounted exteriorly of the tank' and connectedrespectively to said water speed detectionmeans and load detectionmeansto provide a visual indication; and a plurality of bafile assembliesspaced apartwithin said path of the cycled water for reducing turbulenceof thewaterr 2. An outboard motor test apparatus comprising: a tankproportionedifor cycling of water therein responsive to operation'of anoutboard motor extending into the tank,- said"- tank including a lower,main portion of generally oval formation, said main portion including ahorizontal partition terminating short of opposite ends of the mainportionabout which the path of cycled water extends, the tank furtherincluding an upper portion projecting upwardly from and communicatingwith the main portion for-receiving an outboard motor; means within thetank for detecting the speed of water cycled within said path; meanscooperating with said motor for detecting the loadi under'which themotor is operated; gauge means mounted exteriorly of the tank andconnected respectively to said water speed detection means" and loaddetection means to provide a visual indication; aplurality of baflleassemblies spaced apart within said path of the, cycled: water forreducing turbulence of the water; and means for continuously de-aeratingwater cycled withinthe' tank comprising a conduit projectingupwardly-hem said horizontal partition, the conduit openinginto the areabelow the partition at the lower end of the conduit; said: conduit atits upper end opening 3; Anoutboardimotor test apparatus comprising: atank fincluding" "elongated, generally oval lower portionipropo "onfor'fcycling of water therein, said tank lvafiiilibnwithidthe lowerportion about path 'tli fgcycled'water'extends', the tank fprtlierincludingfanf upper portion projecting upwardly from'ithe'l" er portionfto confine exhaust fumes resultii'ig' from operation offanoutboard motorextended into the lowerjportionithe tank being formed with anupwardlyop'enihg, well for receiving said motor, said well communicatingatit's' lower end with the lower portion of the tank for extension ofthe motor into said lower p'ort iomthe well being disposed forwardly ofthe upper portion of the tanlqmeanswithin the tank for detecting thespeed of water cycled within said path; means cooperating'with saidmotor for detecting the load under which the motor isoperated; gaugemeans mounted exteriorly of the tank and connected respectively to saidwater speed detection means and load detection means to provide a visualindication; a plurality of battle assemblies spaced apart within saidpath of the cycled water, said bafile assemblies being adapted forreducing turbulence of the water; means within the path of the cycledwater disposed rearwardly of said well including a pair of platesmountedfor adjustment toward and away from each other, thus to providefor an adjusted space between the plates to form a restricted orificethrough which the'water is forced during its movement into said path;and transom means mounted upon the tank within the well adapted forsupporting the motor.

4. An outboard motor test apparatus comprising: a tank including an'elongated, generally oval lower portion proportioned for cycling ofwater therein, said tank including a partition within the lower portionabout which the path of the cycled water extends, the tank furtherincluding an upper portion projecting upwardly the speed of'watercycled. within said path; means cooperating with said motor fordetecting the'load under which the motor is operated; gauge meansmounted exteriorly of the tank and connected respectively to said waterspeed detection means and load detection means to provide a visualindication; a plurality of bafile assemblies spaced apart within saidpath of the cycledswater, said baflle assemblies being adapted forreducing turbulence of the water; means within the path of the cycledwater disposed rearwardly of said well including a pair of platesmounted for adjustment toward-and away from each other, thus to providefor an adjusted space between the plates to form a restricted orificethrough which the water is forced during its movement into said path;and transom means mounted upon the tank within the well adapted forsupporting the motor, including a transom References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,351,738 Bowen Sept. 7, 19201,992,891 Schmidt Feb. 26, 1935 2,382,999 Lee Aug. 21,1945 2,662,399Chapman Dec. 15, 1953

